Tragic demise of Chamila Kumari

by Victor Karunairajan

She was a lass from Monaragala
With dreams that befit the young
From her flowery schooldays
To do something good for family
The near ones she cherished
And the community dear to her.

Once she finished school
She searched for a career
But in highly corrupted Lanka
This was a terrible task.
Finally, however, she did find
A factory worker's blight
Though a run of the mill stuff
Yet she earned a wage
That kept her family fire
And provided food and keep.

Sadly for Chamila Kumari
She needed medical help
Only for a minor ailment
That is quite normal
But yet cannot be ignored
For at times such could be
Just warning symptoms
For major complications.

She took her place
In a hospital queue
On the fourth floor
Of a government hospital
To consult a doctor
About her ailment.

For reasons strange
And very puzzling
He had suggested
Private consultations
Two floors up for her.
What happened there
Seemed horribly dreadful
For she fell from above
On to the ground below
Smashed and dead.

Here was another lass
Perhaps coveted and abused
Just like many youthful ones
By the human beasts
Just because Chamila Kumari
Was a helpless young lass.

(November, 21, Sydney, Sri Lanka Guardian)

Victor Karunairajan, a journalist with extensive East-West experience has had an exciting career having worked with Anglican, CSI and Catholic institutions, a Buddhist organization and a socialist government in as many as seven countries. He has been a parents' leader of Jaffna College which he served as member of its Board of Directors and for four years, a member of the Jaffna Diocesan Council. Recently he wrote and published a book on the Dances of India which was very popularly received.